GE2025: Red Dot United raises unemployment and job security issues at rally for Jurong Central SMC

Straits Times

30-04-2025

Jurong Central candidate Kala Manickam (fourth from left) got emotional when she said she has met many individuals who were retrenched, or jobless and unable to find a job. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
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SINGAPORE – Unemployment and job security were key issues raised by opposition party Red Dot United (RDU) at a rally on April 30, with candidates sharing personal stories and highlighting examples of how some Singaporeans have fallen through the cracks.
Several of the 12 candidates who spoke at the field at Boon Lay Way called for fair job opportunities and sensible approaches to immigration as solutions to address job security issues.
Jurong Central candidate Kala Manickam got emotional when she said she has met many individuals who were retrenched, or jobless and unable to find a job, despite sending in countless resumes.
'In all these years, one thing continues to be a pain, very deeply – even with the reskilling, upskilling, cross-skilling, whatever skilling, even with hard work, too many Singaporeans remain unemployed or under-employed,' added Madam Kala.
She added that if elected, she will step forward to advocate for the dignity of Singaporeans.
'Gainful employment isn't just about money, but is also related to mental health, family stability and national pride,' she said, adding that children are the most affected in such situations.
'The mental well-being of our young people is being affected and many of them are going through (it) in silence,' she said, before taking a moment to compose herself.
Madam Kala also commended her PAP opponent, incumbent first-term MP Xie Yao Quan, for his efforts to walk the ground and introduce support programmes to help with the cost of living and ageing.
'That's commendable, but we must be honest with ourselves, these are basic expectations of an MP,' she said, adding that many residents have told her that Mr Xie does not speak up for them in Parliament.
'That is the key issue. A leader must be more than pleasant; he must be bold and courageous,' said the former Singapore Armed Forces officer.
In their rally speeches, several speakers also said ministerial salaries should be lowered.
The party's candidate for Nee Soon GRC Pang Heng Chuan said: 'Ministers want million-dollar salaries, justified as competitive pay. Fine. But if they want CEO pay, they must accept CEO accountability.'
When something goes wrong, 'their heads must roll, not the juniors', said Mr Pang, who is a director at an international company.
'Trim the waste at the top and use it to strengthen the backbone of this nation, housing, healthcare, eldercare and job support,' he said.
Holland-Bukit Timah GRC candidate Emily Woo suggested pegging ministerial pay to median wages so that 'leaders are invested in growing the incomes of all, not just the top 10 per cent'. This is on top of removing 'duplicate office holders' and reducing the number of mayors, she said.
Nee Soon GRC candidate Sharon Lin hit back at Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu, who at a PAP rally on April 28 said the goods and services tax increase allows Singapore to tax tourists, as well as people who have no income here but spend on items like cars and watches.
In Mandarin, Ms Lin said visitors are only in Singapore for three to five days, and they are also eligible for a tax refund. 'But Singaporeans have to live here and pay GST every day, whether you're a student, an unemployed person or a low-income family,' she said.
RDU secretary-general Ravi Philemon urged residents in the four constituencies RDU is contesting in to vote for them. The RDU is going head-to-head with the PAP in Jurong East-Bukit Batok, Holland-Bukit Timah and Nee Soon GRCs and Jurong Central SMC.
Mr Philemon, who is standing in Nee Soon GRC, said a greater opposition presence in Parliament would provide a check and balance for the ruling party. 'It is time to bring yang into society. We are the yang to the yin of the PAP,' he said.
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